If the Atlanta Falcons trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, that will be the end of Matt Ryan's 14-year career there. If he continues playing, the veteran quarterback will have to do so elsewhere.
The San Francisco 49ers are unlikely to be suitors for Ryan. However, that didn't stop former NFL offensive lineman and current Fox Sports Radio host Geoff Schwartz from naming them and the Indianapolis Colts as potential suitors.
If Watson does go to the Falcons I'd expect the Colts and 49ers to try for Matt Ryan. https://t.co/OVGSuBH1Pl
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 17, 2022
On the surface, the Ryan-49ers connection makes sense. Ryan had an impressive 2016 campaign working with then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, now San Francisco's head coach. After completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, Ryan was named the league MVP and led the Falcons to a Super Bowl.
However, Ryan has a cap number of $36.7 million, recently lowered from an absurd $48.7 million courtesy of a contract restructure. The salary-cap strapped 49ers are looking to offload starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his over $25 million salary. Taking on Ryan at his number doesn't make much sense considering the team just got under the cap on Wednesday, thanks to restructuring the contracts of tight end George Kittle and defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
The Colts might make more sense. They have a massive amount of salary-cap space and don't have a starting quarterback right now after trading Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders.
The 49ers have a quarterback in Trey Lance, last year's No. 3 overall pick. While there has been some media speculation surrounding the 49ers possibly being uncertain of the second-year quarterback's readiness, the team insists it is comfortable entering the 2022 season with Lance as its starter.
Local media and #49ers fans can't wait to find Jimmy a new job.
National media can't wait to find the #Niners a new QB. (Even tho they already have one)
It's strange, and I can't wait for Trey to prove the doubters wrong. #49wz https://t.co/C7TeIMRu1G
— Marc Adams (@49ersCamelot) March 17, 2022
Potentially adding Tom Brady and allowing Lance to sit another year behind him is one thing. It's Tom Brady, after all. After a blink-and-you-missed-it retirement, Brady did return to the NFL, but with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending the wild rumors of a Brady-49ers marriage.
While Ryan has enjoyed an impressive career, he isn't Brady.
The 49ers have stated they have a contingency plan, allowing them to carry Garoppolo and Lance if the team can't find a suitable trade partner. However, the Niners are obviously ready to transition to their 21-year-old quarterback.
"We do have a tremendous amount of faith and belief that despite the fact that he hasn't played a lot of football, we're going to have an excellent quarterback on our hands for a long time," general manager John Lynch said earlier this month. "As for what else happens in that whole equation, I don't know. But right now, we're really happy with Trey and excited to see his growth from year one to year two."
